My fingers tighten around the phone 40

Aria’s POV
The training facility halls were finally quiet after a long day of combat instruction. My muscles ached pleasantly from
demonstrating takedown techniques to the younger wolves, reminding me that even without my wolf powers, I could still
hold my own. As I approached my office, the faint, ethereal glow seeping beneath the door made me pause. A familiar
scent of snow drifted through the air – Leo.
When I pushed open the door, the sight took my breath away. Silver moonflowers covered every surface of my small
office, their luminescent petals casting an otherworldly light across the walls. And there, lounging in my desk chair with
his characteristic easy grace, sat Leo. His designer suit looked oddly out of place among the delicate blooms, but his warm smile was as familiar as ever.
“Shouldn’t you be handling the wild wolf crisis up North?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to mask how touched I was by his
gesture. Leo had always been like this – showing up exactly when I needed a friend, usually bearing some ridiculous gift
that somehow managed to be exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
“That?” He waved a hand dismissively, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Already taken care of. These beauties,” he
gestured to the flowers surrounding us, “are from the northern mountains. A little bird told me Lucas is studying botany
in school now?”
Warmth spread through my chest at the mention of my son. Trust Leo to find the perfect excuse for his thoughtfulness. He’d been doing this since the day he found me – six years ago, lost and alone, carrying an unborn child and stripped of
my wolf powers. He never pushed for explanations, never demanded answers about Lucas’s father. He just… helped.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said softly, running my fingers over the silken petals of a nearby bloom. Moonflowers were
rare, growing only in the most remote mountain regions. The effort it must have taken to gather so many…
“I know.” Leo’s voice carried that gentle understanding that always made my throat tight.
I gathered the silver blooms into a loose bundle, their ethereal light casting dancing shadows across my hands. “Leo, you
shouldn’t do things like this. The flowers, the surprise visits… people will get the wrong idea.”
“And what’s wrong with that?” His eyes sparkled with that familiar mischievous glint as he adjusted his perfectly tailored
suit. “Maybe you need a little romance in your life, even if it’s just for show. Besides,” he grinned, spreading his arms to
encompass the flower-filled office, “I’d say I outdid myself this time.”
I tried to maintain my stern expression, but a smile tugged at my lips despite my best efforts. The scent of moonflowers
filled the air, bringing back memories of summer evenings in my mother’s garden, of simpler times when I still believed in
fairy tales and happy endings.
The silence stretched between us, not quite uncomfortable but heavy with unspoken words. Leo’s smile faded slightly as
he watched me, and I could see the moment he decided to change the subject.
“Actually,” he cleared his throat, his expression turning more serious. “I ran into Marcus at the council meeting today.”
The mention of my father made my fingers tighten around the flower stems.
I kept my eyes fixed on the moonflowers in my hands, their silver glow suddenly blurring at the edges.
“He said Lucas is welcome at the Silver Moon pack house anytime.” Leo’s voice softened with understanding. “The pack –
they miss you both. The doors are always open for you.”
The weight of those words settled in my chest like stones. Six years of exile, of rebuilding my life from nothing, and now
this olive branch extended through Leo, of all people. I wasn’t sure if that made it easier or harder to bear.
“I’ll think about it,” I managed.
“Well, I should head out,” Leo said, checking his watch. “Need to find Ethan – we have some pack territory issues to
discuss.” He paused at the door, his expression turning serious. “You know you can always count on me, right? For
anything?”
I managed a small nod, my throat tight with emotion.
“I know,” I finally whispered. “Thank you, Leo.”
He flashed that familiar warm smile, then quietly closed the door behind him. The sudden silence felt heavy but
comforting, like a thick blanket on a cold night. I sank into my chair, letting the gentle silver glow of the moonflowers wash over me.
A soft knock interrupted my reverie. Zoe’s head poked through the doorway, her eyes widening comically at the sight of
my flower-filled office.
“Oh my goddess!” She practically bounced into the room, her enthusiasm making her seem even younger than usual. As
one of my students, she often forgot about maintaining professional distance. “Are these all from Leo? The Northern
alpha heir?”
I sighed, already knowing where this conversation was heading. “Yes, Zoe. He brought them for Lucas’s botany lessons.”
“Right, ‘for Lucas,'” she made air quotes, her eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement.
“We’re really just friends,” I said firmly, busying myself with gathering some flowers to take home. The familiar task helped
steady my hands.
“But Aria!” Zoe perched on the edge of my desk, lowering her voice. “Have you seen the way he looks at you? And Lucas
absolutely adores him!”
The innocent observation hit deeper than she could know. I focused on carefully wrapping the flower stems in damp
paper, buying time to compose myself. “Sometimes friendship is enough, Zoe. Sometimes it’s everything.”
She opened her mouth to argue further, but something in my expression must have warned her off. With a slightly
defeated sigh, she stood. “Fine, keep your secrets. But if you’re really not interested…” Her grin turned mischievous. “Mind
if I try my luck?”
Despite everything, I found myself laughing. “Go ahead. Just don’t blame me when he charms you with expensive gifts
and that insufferable smile.”